External device for magnetically positioning a gastric device

Abstract

A minimally invasive system and method for providing weight loss by inducing the feeling of satiety whereby an intragastric device is inserted into the gastric lumen via the esophagus and an external magnetic device is used as needed to magnetically attract the intragastric device towards the inner wall of the stomach and impart tactile stimulation sufficient to induce the feeling of satiety.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of inducing a feeling of satiety comprising the steps of:
 inserting a deployable intragastric device containing magnetic material into a stomach of a patient; and 
 positioning an external magnet in close enough proximity to the intragastric device to create a sufficient magnetic pulling force between the external magnet and the intragastric device to move the intragastric device towards, and impart stimulating force upon a stomach wall of the patient, wherein the patient positions the external magnet, and wherein the external magnet is connected to a controller unit via a power cord, and wherein an LCD screen provides system information and monitors the patient's progress. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the LCD screen and external magnet are connected to a magnet case. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the external magnet is connected to and powered by a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein an electric current to the magnet is reduced after a sufficient magnetic pulling force with the intragastric magnet has been established. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the electric current is turned off after a programmed time. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the controller unit monitors the operation time and cuts the power when a time limit is reached. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the LCD screen will flash and loud speaker will sound an alarm to warn a user of a proper safety procedure. 
     
     
       8. A satiety inducing system comprising:
 A transorally administered intragastric device comprising at least one type of magnetic material, at least one surface capable of deployment inside of a patient's stomach, wherein the intragastric device is equipped to impart tactile stimulation upon a stomach wall of the stomach, and wherein the intragastric device is not attached to the body of the patient; and 
 an external magnet positioned outside of a patient's body comprising a sufficient amount of magnetic material to attract the transorally administered intragastric device from outside the patient's body, wherein external magnet is attached to a magnet case via a power cord. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , further comprising an LCD screen located inside the magnet case. 
     
     
       10. The intragastric device of  claim 9  wherein an orientation of the external magnet's magnetic material is unfixed and allowed to pivot or rotate relative to the position of the intragastric device. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9  wherein the external magnet is an electromagnet. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10  wherein the magnet case further comprises a loudspeaker. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 10  wherein the magnet case further comprises a battery pack and control electronics.